Helpful Tips from My Latest Meditation Workshop
As a meditation teacher I find it important to go
see my Teacher periodically to get recharged, inspired and to have a sense of
progress. I recently traveled to L.A. to attend a weekend workshop and here are
some of my take a ways.
We use meditation to find peace until we
(permanently) R.I.P. As you go into meditation
you are entering a state of peace for a few minutes or longer. Meditation is best
if approached in a very relaxed way. If you are too ridged you cannot learn as
well. As you progress with your practice a few minutes can extend to a long
time.
After Teacher meditated, he said, “If I sat here
longer, my meditation would have been sustained for a lengthy time. Do you know why? It
is because I am aware of the Divine in everything. The Divine can be a place to
where you can go as well.”
In the story of Siddhartha (Buddha) it is said that
he left the palace to get a better understanding about life, living, suffering
and getting old.
In life there is suffering. But you can choose to do
more learning about suffering or you can choose to live with lots of suffering
for yourself. Suffering is a natural part of life. It comes in many forms. Cultivate to
transcend the self. Do the best you can. Also, add lots of happiness to your
life.
Teacher asked
the contemplative question, “Does it matter where you go at death?” You know, Heaven
can be had now by virtue of having peace with yourself.
Happiness can come from knowing we are a part of the
Divine.
Make personal changes before you crossover so that
others will think kindly of you when you have ‘passed’. Use your life now to become
the best person you can be. The strength for this can be found through a solid meditation
practice.
It is so easy to feel lousy. It is the continuous feeling
good that is difficult. Start by being mindful of what you say to yourself. In the
morning look at your reflection in the mirror and be happy to see that wonderful
person!
We all have a ‘small self’ and a ‘big self’.
Meditation helps to bring the ‘big self’ forward or to the surface more. Every time we meditate, not
only do we sit with the daily small bits of our lives, but we address something
greater than ourselves as well.
Better
Sleep: Meditate before bed. If you have had a “long day”
then this is an especially good practice.
Do not focus on the things you cannot fix. If you wake up in the middle of the night;
breathe deeply; inhale and exhale while focusing on the tan tien (Just below your navel.). This is also
considered meditation. Another Technique: In standing meditation, tighten both fists
at your sides. Hold firmly for about a minute. Then relax everything. This will
help with your sleep as well.
